TASC Support Turkish Democracy Now

The Turkish American National Steering Committee, representing more than 150 Turkish American organizations and 19 mosques nationwide, urges you to support Democracy in Turkey, Now, and give to the Fund for Victims of the Coup.

On Friday night, July 15, 2016, the Turkish people experienced one of the most dangerous and defining moments of their modern history, when hundreds of members of the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) hijacked the Turkish Air Force and Gendarmerie, converted Turkish military assets to the aims of their enigmatic cult, bombed the Turkish Parliament and Turkish counterparts of the CIA, FBI and White House, attempted to assassinate the President, and massacred 238 civilians and over 200 security forces and law enforcement officers in a gruesome coup attempt. Over 2000 people were severely injured, as FETO unleashed its religious violent extremism upon the people and secular nation of Turkey.

In response, millions of Turkish citizens from all walks of life flooded the streets and the city squares, desperate to protect their freedoms and their democracy. The heroic stance of the Turkish people has demonstrated three undisputable realities:

· The social contract of the Turkish citizenry is stronger than any plot to divide

· Turkey enjoys a mature democracy that can overcome major challenges

· The Turkish people are dedicated to democracy and universal rights

Ataturk expressed, “Sovereignty, unconditionally belongs to the people.” The Turkish pledge of allegiance states, “To Protect our Children -- To Respect our Elders.” When the Turkish people took to the streets to fight the coup, they took ownership of their collective sovereignty, standing tall against pirated tanks, F-16s, and Sikorsky helicopters. They respected the Elders for their sacrifices for the Turkish Republic, by protecting their Children and securing for them precious democracy and the rule of law.

It has deeply saddened us to hear some intellectuals, journalists, civil society organizations, and politicians express an implied sympathy with the attempted coup, completely disregarding the human tragedy and the fact that democracy was preserved. Some resorted to justifying the violent overthrow of an elected government, simply because they hate he who was elected, and they hate even more the voters who elected him. Assassination is not a democratic value.

At this moment, millions of brave Turkish citizens -- men, women, children, and the elderly -- occupy streets and town squares across Turkey, in a vigil for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and in a 24/7 Watch to ensure peace and tranquility in the nation, shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement.

These brave souls send an important message to all the oppressed peoples of the region who have been forced to succumb to military dictatorships, just as they were starting to feel the goodness and empowerment of liberty. These brave souls send an important message to us in America, that democracy requires vigilance and that freedom is not free – that the promise of “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” is not just for America, but for everyone. These brave souls deserve the strong support of anyone who honestly and truly believes in and loves democracy. They deserve your support.

Please give to one of the following funds to help the victims of the July 15 failed coup.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Gunay Evinch

Co-Chairman

Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC)

Ibrahim Uyar, Co-Chairman

Derya Taskin, Secretary General

Murat Guzel, Treasurer

Oya Bain, Executive Committee

Mustafa Tuncer, Executive Committee

Ali Cinar, Executive Committee